Ahead of the release of Mass Effect 5, the Mass Effect trilogy is already famous for its well-crafted story, detailed characters, and infamously lackluster ending. Despite most of ME3 being an enjoyable entry in the franchise, the three choices presented at the game's conclusion left many players underwhelmed and disappointed that their choices did not result in more variety at the story's end. DLC and updates provided improvements, but many players still dislike the ending, with their ire aimed at one option in particular.

The three ending choices presented to Commander Shepard are as follows: First, to destroy the Reapers, along with all of their technology and every other AI in the galaxy. Second, to take control of the Reapers and attempt to steer them away from violence. Or third, to begin a process called "Synthesis," which is vague and confusing, but would merge all organic and synthetic life. With Mass Effect 5 in development, it's unclear which of these endings will be considered "canon," but for several reasons, it probably won't be Synthesis.

The Confusion Around The Synthesis Ending

An Unsatisfying And Unclear Choice For Players To Make

The primary issue with the Synthesis ending is that it's too confusing and abstract to qualify as a satisfying ending, let alone one that could precede a new entry into the franchise. As explained by the Star Child aboard the Citadel, initiating synthesis would cause all organic and synthetic life in the galaxy to merge, giving each side insight into the others' point of view. Doing so would not only massively change life as we know it, but also forcibly alter the very being of every living thing.

Based on the ending cinematic, which sees a sea of green expand across the known universe synthesizing everything it touches, this effectively ends the war with the Reapers. It seems like gaining this level of understanding stops the AI's mission to wipe out and control organic life, and instantly calms everyone on both sides. It's hard to understand how exactly this process works or why it instantly quells all conflict, and it would certainly be a confusing galaxy to start a new game in.

The Synthesis Process Undermines Much Of The Game's Conflict

A Simple Solution To The War Between Organics And Synthetics

The Synthesis ending also feels too easily earned, providing what seems like an objectively good end for the galaxy. Mass Effect tends to be about morally gray problems with difficult solutions. Solutions that either sacrifice one side to save another or have hidden repercussions. Many of the problems in Mass Effect center around the conflict between organic and synthetic life, using it as a mirror to explore real-world problems of conflicting viewpoints and conflict created by differing perspectives.

Despite being machines, synthetic beings in Mass Effect tend to be presented as having their own thoughts and a kind of emotional response system, most notably with EDI in the second and third games.

The conflict between the Geth and the Quarians earlier in Mass Effect 3 satisfyingly showcases this kind of conflict, and depending on your actions, it can end in tragedy for either side. Meanwhile, the Synthesis ending provides a "happy" ending for everyone (except Commander Shepard), and if one ignores the implications of suddenly changing the genetic makeup of every living thing, it doesn't come with any downsides.

The Destroy Ending Will Likely Be Canonical For ME5

The Choice That Feels Most In Line With The Franchise's Themes

When it comes down to it, there's one ending of the three that feels the most in line with the themes and tone of Mass Effect. The Destroy ending sees Shepard accomplish what they set out to do at the beginning of the trilogy and stop the Reapers once and for all. It also has major consequences, since the death of Reapers would also mean the death of the Geth and of EDI, as well as the destruction of every mass relay, creating major problems for the galactic community.

This ending feels in line with Renegade Shepard more than a Paragon version of the character, though it's also extremely similar to the actions Shepard takes regardless of moral alignment in the Arrival DLC for Mass Effect 2, destroying a Batarian system to slow down the Reapers.

These consequences make sense for Mass Effect 5. The franchise doesn't let the player off easy when it comes to moral decisions. In of setting ME5 up, the Destroy ending leaves the galaxy with the most avenues for a new conflict. The Reapers are gone, but the galaxy is divided by the destruction of their technology, something Commander Shepard is ultimately to blame for. There's also the fact that in the remastered version of the trilogy, the Destroy ending is the only one where Shepard is likely still alive, meaning they could continue to exist as the game's protagonist.